15th February 2024

Boro, history and reinvention was an interesting and informative presentation by Angela Oswald.

The origins of Boro are in Japan where it is 'The Art of Necessity'

Boro depends on rags, scraps and tattered cloth which is unique to Japan, the aim is to repurpose old fabrics by stitching and mending. This 'new' fabric is then layered and stitched together to make garments, frayed edges are also a feature.

Initially the fabrics came from India, many were indigo dyed, and they were worked and worked being made into garments like Kimonos.

 

Boro dates from the 17th Century, from 1603 to 1868 trade with Japan was severley limited as the borders were closed (to prevent diseases and Christianity entering the country)by the Shoguns.

 

The poorest people, peasants and artisans, wore Boro the fabrics used being home spun hemp, rough cotton and cast off clothing which were re worked into cloth which was used to keep the poor warm and covered.

 

 Boro is the result of repetitive stitching of the fabric over and over through the generations, the fabrics are patched (to mend and strengthen)  and sashiko stitched to provide decoration.

 

Indigo dye was used as the plants grew readily in hot countries so everyone could grow the plants and it was cheap and popular. The Dutch East India company traded from one island in Japan, however Japan eventually started to trade more widely and this saw the decline of Boro with it being seen as shameful.

 

Now Boro is being used as a decorative technique with a variety of materials used for patching and running or blanket stitch being used to attach and enhance.

 

 

This is a traditional type of bag which was made to carry the rice eaten for lunch